Influence of smoking on postpartum depression in Japan

Aim: To investigate the influence of smoking on postpartum depression. Methods: One thousand fifty-one women, in a rural city in Aomori Prefecture, Japan, prospectively fulfilled the selection criteria and completed self-reporting questionnaires on postnatal depression at 5-6 days, 1 month, 4 months, 7 months and 12 months after childbirth, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and a life and social events scales including smoking habits. Results: Seven hundred seventy-seven women were non-smokers. Among two hundred seventy-four women who were smokers before becoming pregnant (26% of pregnant women), 241 women quit smoking during pregnancy and 33 women continued smoking. Smoking habits were significantly associated with sociopsychological states and we found that EPDS scores of smokers were significantly higher than EPDS of non-smokers. The EPDS scores of both non-smokers and smokers were higher at 5-6 days, but were stable from 1 month to 12 months, after childbirth. Fifty-one women who quit smoking after childbirth resumed smoking during he 1-12 month periods after childbirth. The EPDS scores of 51 women who resumed smoking were significantly reduced after they resumed smoking. Conclusion: The EPDS scores of smokers were higher than those of non-smokers and a smoking habit may help to alleviate postpartum depression.

Diets of obese and non-obese older subjects

Aim: To compare diets between obese and non-obese in healthy older subjects. Methods: Forty-five obese and eighty-seven non-obese older subjects were recruited and their habitual factors that may contribute to obesity were assessed. Intakes of food by food-group in the obesity and non-obesity groups were checked using a visual type presentation of model nutriational balance chart (MNBC). Results: Average intake ratio of food relative to ideal food intake was significantly higher in the obesity group than the non-obesity group. The relationship of obesity and exercise or habitual activities was not significant. Conclusion: Food intake is a primary factor of obesity but regular exercise or habitual activities is not a key factor for obesity in older subjects. Since exercise habit is difficult to achieve in older subjects, particularly those who are obese, food control using the present visualtype MNBC would be one strategy forthe management of obesity.

Influence of Leakage from Non-Invasive Positive Pressure Ventilation Mask on FiO₂Value Delivered by Home Oxygen Therapy Concentrator: A Bench Study on Simulating Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Introduction: During the application of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) therapy in home mechanical ventilation (HMV), leaks in the NPPV mask may occur owing to the position of the mask due to conditions such as skin disorders. Methods: To investigate whether such a leak affects FiO2 supplied to the alveoli, we simulated a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder during NPPV in HMV. In addition, FiO2 was measured in the portion assumed to be the mouth and lungs while setting the flow of the oxygen concentrator and leak amount based on a previous study. Results: FiO2 supplied to the lungs increased statistically significantly upon increasing the amount of leak (P Conclusions: We observed that FiO2 supplied to alveoli can be reduced by a leak in the NPPV mask. Because our results differ from those previously reported, we believe that further studies should reassess the selection of respirators and oxygen concentrators.

Angle Effect to Dropping of Dew in Closed Suction Catheters

Intratracheal aspiration in a patient on ventilation is generally performed using a catheter. Of late, closed suction systems have been used more frequently than open systems. To remove tracheal secretions through the intratracheal tube, catheter suction is used, and the suction catheter may be of the closed- or open-type. The catheters are cleaned by flushing with sterile 0.9% saline, resulting in dropping of dew. This phenomenon is caused by some factors: influence of flow, clogging of the suction tube, problem of manipulation of flushing and angle between the intubation tube and the connection port. But this dropping has not yet been investigated. In this study, we focused at this angle and we used the test lung which is simulated machine on behalf of patient. We consider two situations adult and child, also two types of catheters Eco-Cath and Ty-care. In child case we consider elbow-type suction catheters and Y-connector type. The angle was set at 0°, 20°, 40°, 60°, and 90°, and we observed the difference between Eco-Cath and Ty-care. In adults difference is significant (p 0.001), In 90°between Tracheal intubation and Tracheotomy (p ≈ 0.26). In child difference is significant (p 0.001), In 90°between Tracheal intubation and Tracheotomy (p ≈ 0.15). In child case we observed dependency of angle on various conditions too. The relation of the angle and dew was clarified.